Giro 2017 Favourites stage 19: Big names battle on steep last climb

Stage 19 in the Giro d'Italia is the penultimate race in the high mountains. The route seems to be predestined for a GC battle on the last climb. The distance is 15.4 kilometres and the average gradient 7.3%. Yet the cunning part is the first 6 kilometres, averaging 9.4%.(Slideshow route/profile)

Early on, the race takes in three climbs. After the third one, Sella Chianzutan, there are 86 kilometres left to race, mostly on flat roads, so that’s perfect to bring break the break away. If this happens, the big names can battle it out on the closing climb.

The route travels to Piancavallo, a ski resort at 1,290 metres. The first 6 kilometres are averaging a stunning 9.4%, while the sixth kilometre is a monster with an average gradient of 11.6%. Subsequently everything less feels like a relief, yet from kilometre 6 to kilometre 11 the road goes up at 7.5%. The the climb flattens out to some 6% before the last kilometres is merely a false flat.

Wear out your rivals in the first section, strike in the second, and hold on until the line – that seems to be a proper method. Which, obviously, is easier said than done. Who is capable to put in into practice?